JP5115958B2 - Electronic pet information transfer method, electronic pet system, mobile phone terminal and pet-type robot - Google Patents

Abstract

It is an object to provide an electronic pet information shifting method that does not require a user to directly operate. The electronic pet information shifting method shifts electronic pet information (6), in which an electronic pet attribute is prescribed, between a pet type robot (5) and an electronic pet device (4) that is a mobile telephone terminal. The electronic pet information shifting method judges whether the electronic pet device (4) is positioned in a service area (22) of a specific base station (21) determined in advance in a mobile communication network (31) and transfers the electronic pet information (6) between the pet type robot (5) and the electronic pet device (4) in response to a judged result.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic pet information transfer method, an electronic pet system, a mobile phone terminal, and a pet-type robot, and more particularly, an electronic pet information transfer in an electronic pet system including a mobile phone terminal and a pet-type robot that are electronic pet devices. Regarding the method.

  In recent years, the popularity of electronic pets that digitize pets, which have been bred for pet purposes, has increased. As types of electronic pets, there are electronic pet devices such as breeding simulation game machines, and pet-type robots that can autonomously operate in a shape resembling animals.

  The electronic pet apparatus is an apparatus in which an electronic pet is displayed as a virtual life object on a game-dedicated machine or a portable terminal. An electronic pet grows when a user (owner) responds (feeds, etc.) to the electronic pet. Therefore, the user has an attachment to the electronic pet like an actual pet. This is realized by changing an internal state (emotion or physical feature information; hereinafter referred to as electronic pet information) for operating the electronic pet by software in the electronic pet device. However, the electronic pet device is a virtual existence that is displayed two-dimensionally on the screen.

  The pet-type robot is an electronic pet that exists as an entity and can autonomously operate. Electronic pet information can also be changed by actually touching the owner. However, it is inconvenient to take and carry around when going out, such as when the owner walks a pet-type robot.

Therefore, the electronic pet system described in Patent Document 1 includes an electronic pet device and a pet-type robot. The electronic pet system described in Patent Document 1 stores electronic pet information in an external storage device, and transfers the electronic pet information between the electronic pet device and the pet-type robot via the external storage device. It is to operate. That is, it is raised indoors as a pet-type robot. On the other hand, when the user moves the electronic pet information of the pet-type robot to the electronic pet device via the external storage device and operates as an electronic pet outdoors, an effect such as a walk can be realized. The electronic pet information transfer method can also be realized by mutual communication such as wired, wireless, infrared, and the like, and includes transfer by uploading and downloading to a server via the Internet.
International Publication No. 00/66239 Pamphlet

  As described above, the electronic pet system described in Patent Document 1 can breed the same electronic pet in a usage form of a pet-type robot indoors and an electronic pet device outdoors by transferring electronic pet information. it can. However, since the electronic pet information migration method in Patent Document 1 requires an operation by the user, there are still difficulties due to complexity and omission of the migration procedure.

  An object of this invention is to provide the transfer method of the electronic pet information which does not require a user's direct operation.

  An electronic pet information transfer method according to the present invention is an electronic pet information transfer method for transferring electronic pet information in which attributes of an electronic pet are defined between a first electronic pet and a second electronic pet, It is determined whether or not the second electronic pet is located within a service area of a predetermined specific base station in the mobile communication network, and the first electronic pet and the The electronic pet information is transferred between the second electronic pets.

  As a result, the electronic pet information is transferred through moving the user in and out of the area of the specific base station after the user holds the second electronic pet, and does not require direct user operation. The same electronic pet can be raised indoors and outdoors.

  The electronic pet information transfer method transfers the electronic pet information from the second electronic pet to the first electronic pet when the second electronic pet is within the service area of the specific base station. It is desirable that the electronic pet information be transferred from the first electronic pet to the second electronic pet when the second electronic pet is outside the service area of the specific base station.

  Thereby, after the user enters the indoor, the first electronic pet can be reared, and after the user goes outdoors, the second electronic pet is continued. Can be reared.

  In addition, the second electronic pet has communication means that operates as a mobile station connectable to the mobile communication network, and the second electronic pet moves the mobile electronic network by determining the position of the second electronic pet. It is desirable to perform the determination based on whether or not the base station identification information acquired from the connection destination base station when connected to the mobile communication network matches the identification information of the specific base station. Thereby, since movement of the 2nd pet itself can be grasped correctly, electronic pet information can be transferred appropriately.

  Furthermore, the position determination of the second electronic pet may be performed at the time of handover of the communication means. Thereby, since a movement timing can be detected exactly, electronic pet information can be appropriately transferred.

  Note that transmission / reception of the electronic pet information between the first and second electronic pets may be performed via the mobile communication network. Thereby, an electronic pet can be raised in a wide range of indoors and outdoors.

  Further, the position determination of the second electronic pet may be performed by a function built in the second electronic pet. Thereby, electronic pet information can be transferred between the first electronic pet and the second electronic pet.

  Furthermore, the position determination of the second electronic pet may be performed by a server that can communicate with both the first electronic pet and the second electronic pet. Thereby, in the communication between the first electronic pet and the second electronic pet, even if the reception side is in a disconnected state, the transmission side completes the process when transmission to the server is completed, To the receiving side, it is retransmitted separately by the server, increasing the reliability of communication.

  The electronic pet system according to the present invention is an electronic pet system having a first electronic pet and a second electronic pet, and the second electronic pet includes a mobile communication network. In response to the movement from the service area of a predetermined base station within the area to the outside of the area, the electronic pet information in which attributes of the electronic pet are defined is received from the first electronic pet, and the second The electronic pet information is transmitted to the first electronic pet in response to the movement of the electronic pet from outside the service area of the specific base station into the area.

  Thereby, after the user enters the indoor, the first electronic pet can be reared, and after the user goes outside, the user directly controls the second electronic pet. The same electronic pet can be bred without requiring special operations.

  In addition, the first electronic pet in the electronic pet system has a first communication unit for transferring the electronic pet information to and from the second electronic pet, and the second electronic pet The second communication unit for transferring the electronic pet information to and from the first electronic pet, and the position of the second electronic pet move from the service area of the specific base station to the outside of the area Or a movement determination unit that determines that the vehicle has moved from outside the service area into the area, and based on a determination result by the movement determination unit, between the first communication unit and the second communication unit. And transfer control means for transferring the electronic pet information.

  As a result, the electronic pet information is transferred through moving the user in and out of the area of the specific base station after the user holds the second electronic pet, and does not require direct user operation. The same electronic pet can be raised indoors and outdoors.

  The electronic pet system further includes a server capable of communicating with both the first electronic pet and the second electronic pet, and the first electronic pet transmits the electronic pet information to the second electronic pet. A second communication unit for transferring the electronic pet information to and from the first electronic pet, the first electronic pet having a first communication unit for transferring to and from the pet; The server determines that the position of the second electronic pet has moved from the service area of the specific base station to the outside of the area, or has moved from the service area to the outside of the area. A movement determination unit and a transfer control unit that transfers the electronic pet information between the first communication unit and the second communication unit based on a determination result by the movement determination unit may be included. .

  Thereby, in the communication between the first electronic pet and the second electronic pet, even if the reception side is in a disconnected state, the transmission side completes the process when transmission to the server is completed, To the receiving side, it is retransmitted separately by the server, increasing the reliability of communication.

  In addition, the second communication unit can be connected to the mobile communication network, and the movement determining means can connect the base of the connection partner when the second electronic pet is connected to the mobile communication network. It is desirable to determine the movement of the second electronic pet according to whether the base station identification information acquired from the station matches the identification information of the specific base station. Thereby, since movement of the 2nd pet itself can be grasped correctly, electronic pet information can be transferred appropriately.

  Furthermore, the movement determination means may perform movement determination of the second electronic pet in response to execution of handover by the second communication unit. Thereby, since a movement timing can be detected exactly, electronic pet information can be appropriately transferred.

  The second electronic pet is preferably a mobile phone terminal that displays an image of the electronic pet corresponding to the electronic pet information by referring to the electronic pet information. Thereby, it becomes easy to take out as an electronic pet outdoors.

  The first electronic pet is preferably a pet-type robot that operates autonomously with reference to the electronic pet information. Thereby, a realistic electronic pet can be raised indoors.

  Furthermore, the first electronic pet is determined to determine that its own position has moved out of the service area of the specific base station, and it is determined that its own position has moved out of the service area. In some cases, it is desirable to include control means for moving the position of the device so as to return to the service area. Thereby, more pet-like operation can be realized.

  In addition, the mobile phone terminal according to the present invention includes a communication unit for transferring electronic pet information in which an attribute of the electronic pet is defined to other electronic pets, and its own position within the mobile communication network. Based on a determination result by the movement determination unit and a movement determination unit that determines that the predetermined base station has moved from the outside of the service area or moved from the outside of the service area to the area And transfer control means for transferring the electronic pet information between the communication unit and the communication unit of the other electronic pet. Thereby, it is possible to easily take the electronic pet to the destination of the user.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the mobile phone terminal is an electronic pet device that displays an image of an electronic pet corresponding to the electronic pet information by referring to the electronic pet information. Thereby, it becomes easy to take out as an electronic pet outdoors.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for transferring electronic pet information that does not require direct user operation.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted as necessary for the sake of clarity.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an electronic pet system 1 that realizes the electronic pet information migration method according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 1A shows an electronic pet system 1 in a state where a user keeps an electronic pet indoors. The electronic pet system 1 includes an indoor user (inside the building 20) 41, a femtocell base station 21, an electronic pet device 4, a pet-type robot 5, an outdoor IP (Internet Protocol) network 30, and a mobile phone communication network 31. Composed. The electronic pet device 4 and the pet type robot 5 are electronic pets that operate using the electronic pet information 6. The electronic pet and the electronic pet information 6 targeted in the present invention will be described later with reference to FIG. Further, the femtocell area 22 refers to a radio wave reachable range (service area, hereinafter, area) of the femtocell base station 21.

  The femtocell base station 21 can wirelessly communicate with a mobile station (for example, a mobile phone terminal) in the femtocell area 22. Further, the femtocell base station 21 is used by being connected to a fixed communication line, and is used by a mobile communication provider via a broadband communication provider's IP communication network (IP network 30) or the Internet that provides the fixed communication line. Is connected to a cellular phone communication network 31 which is a network of

  The femtocell base station 21 according to the first embodiment is an extremely small base station whose communication cover area (cell radius) is about several tens of meters. The femtocell base station 21 is a base station that is assumed to be installed in a home or a small office. Used by connecting to a fixed communication line. Further, according to the femtocell base station 21, since the mobile phone terminal can be used as a common terminal for the mobile communication network and the fixed communication network, the femtocell base station not only improves indoor communication environment but also FMC (Fixed It is expected to be a technology for realizing Mobile Convergence.

  In the femtocell area 22, there is a user 41 carrying the pet robot 5 and the electronic pet device 4. The electronic pet device 4 and the pet type robot 5 function as mobile stations of the mobile communication system. Therefore, if it is in the femtocell area 22 in the building 20, wireless communication is possible through the femtocell base station 21, and if it is outside the femtocell area 22, a mobile body different from the femtocell base station 21. Wireless communication with the base station of the communication system is possible.

  The electronic pet device 4 has a portable game function that operates as an electronic pet in a state where the electronic pet information 6 is retained so as to be referred to. However, in the state of FIG. 1A, since the electronic pet information 6 is not held so as to be referable, it is assumed that the electronic pet is not operating. Moreover, the electronic pet apparatus 4 should just have a shape, a magnitude | size, and a weight which the user 41 can carry easily. For example, the mobile phone terminal may be an electronic pet realized by an internal mobile phone application. Alternatively, a portable game machine terminal in which an electronic pet is realized and a mobile station function may be provided inside.

  The pet-type robot 5 is a mobile robot device that operates as an electronic pet in a state in which the electronic pet information 6 is retained so that it can be referred to. In the state of FIG. 1A, the electronic pet information 6 is retained so that it can be referred to, and therefore, breeding communication by the user 41 is possible. The pet robot 5 is a robot that can move autonomously. For example, the pet-type robot 5 is a humanoid robot or an animal-type robot that walks by operating a plurality of leg links. The pet-type robot 5 may be a mobile robot having other moving mechanisms such as wheels and a caterpillar instead of the leg link.

  Further, the electronic pet device 4 and the pet type robot 5 have a communication function capable of transmitting and receiving the electronic pet information 6. Specifically, the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 of the present embodiment have a communication function as a mobile station (mobile phone terminal) for connecting to the mobile phone communication network 31.

  FIG.1 (b) is the electronic pet system 1 of the state in which the user is raising the electronic pet outdoors. The electronic pet system 1 includes an indoor femtocell base station 21, a pet-type robot 5, an outdoor IP network 30, a mobile phone communication network 31, a base station 32, a user 41, and an electronic pet device 4. Composed. Here, differences from FIG. 1A will be described.

  In the femtocell area 22, only the pet type robot 5 is present. However, it is assumed that the pet-type robot 5 does not operate as an electronic pet because it does not hold the electronic pet information 6. Outside the femtocell area 22, there is a user 41 who carries the electronic pet device 4.

  Since the electronic pet device 4 is in the service area of the base station 32, which is a base station of the mobile phone communication network 31, wireless communication is possible through the base station 32. Moreover, since the electronic pet apparatus 4 holds the electronic pet information 6, the electronic pet apparatus 4 operates as an electronic pet, and breeding communication by the user 41 is possible.

  At this time, if the electronic pet information 6 is obtained by taking over the information raised by the pet-type robot 5, the electronic pet device 4 can continue the breeding by the pet-type robot 5. That is, although the entity is not expressed, the electronic pet is accompanied by the outside in the internal state of the electronic pet, and the electronic pet can be walked.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of operation and non-operation of the electronic pet 60 according to the first embodiment. When the electronic pet targeted by the present invention is in a state in which the electronic pet information 6 can be referred to, the operation mode for controlling the operation is turned on and the electronic pet is operated.

  FIG. 2A shows an example of a configuration that operates as an electronic pet. The electronic pet 60 includes electronic pet information 6, software 61, and hardware 62.

  The electronic pet information 6 is electronic data that defines the attributes of the electronic pet, such as the personality of the electronic pet, emotion, and body characteristic information. It is provided in the electronic pet 60 by being stored in a storage means (not shown).

  The software 61 is a program that operates as an electronic pet using the electronic pet information 6. In addition, a response as an electronic pet is output to the hardware 62 from information from the user input via the hardware 62, and the electronic pet information 6 is updated. The electronic pet information 6 means growing as an electronic pet by being updated.

  The hardware 62 manages input / output and various controls with the user, and exchanges with software. Depending on the hardware implementation method, it is possible to become a pet-type robot or an electronic pet device.

  FIG. 2B is an example of a configuration that is not operating as an electronic pet. The electronic pet 60 is one in which the electronic pet information 6 is not held so that it can be referred to in FIG. In this state, it is assumed that the operation mode of the electronic pet 60 is OFF and is not operated.

  The electronic pet targeted in the present invention only needs to satisfy the conditions of the electronic pet 60 in FIG. 2, and specific implementation means may be other than the pet-type robot and the electronic pet device.

  Thereby, even if there are a plurality of electronic pets 60, the user continues the same electronic pet by holding the electronic pet information 6 bred in one electronic pet 60 in the other electronic pet 60. Can be reared.

  FIG. 3 shows an overall configuration of the electronic pet system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the electronic pet system 1 in a state where the user keeps the electronic pet indoors. Each configuration of the electronic pet system 1 shown in FIG. 3A corresponds to FIG. The electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 exist in an area that can communicate with the femtocell base station 21. The pet-type robot 5 includes electronic pet information 6 and operates as an electronic pet. On the other hand, since the electronic pet device 4 does not include the electronic pet information 6, it is not operating as an electronic pet. Further, since the femtocell base station 21 is connected to the mobile phone communication network 31 via the IP network 30, the electronic pet information 6 can be transmitted and received between the electronic pet device 4 and the pet type robot 5. is there.

  FIG.3 (b) is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the electronic pet system 1 in the state in which the user is raising the electronic pet outdoors. Each configuration of the electronic pet system 1 shown in FIG. 3B corresponds to FIG. The pet type robot 5 exists in an area where it can communicate with the femtocell base station 21. The electronic pet device 4 cannot communicate with the femtocell base station 21 and exists in an area where it can communicate with the base station 32. The electronic pet device 4 includes electronic pet information 6 and operates as an electronic pet. On the other hand, the pet-type robot 5 is not operating as an electronic pet because it does not include the electronic pet information 6. Since the base station 32 is connected to the femtocell base station 21 via the mobile phone communication network 31 and the IP network 30, the electronic pet information 6 is exchanged between the electronic pet device 4 and the pet type robot 5. Can be sent and received.

  In the electronic pet system 1 according to the first embodiment, when the electronic pet device 4 is present in an area that can communicate with the femtocell base station 21, the pet-type robot 5 operates as an electronic pet, and therefore can be reared. . Further, when the electronic pet device 4 exists in an area incapable of communicating with the femtocell base station 21 (for example, in an area in which communication with the base station 32 is possible), the electronic pet device 4 operates as an electronic pet. is there. At that time, the electronic pet information 6 provided in the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 takes over the data raised in either one.

  Next, the electronic pet information migration method according to the first embodiment is shown in FIGS. The electronic pet information transfer method according to the first embodiment is a transfer method for transferring the electronic pet information 6 between the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 which are electronic pets that satisfy the conditions of the electronic pet 60. Then, when the electronic pet device 4 moves, the electronic pet information 6 is transferred when the communicable base station is switched (handover or power-on). That is, there are a method for shifting from the state of FIG. 3 (a) to the state of FIG. 3 (b) and a method for shifting from the state of FIG. 3 (b) to the state of FIG. 3 (a).

  An example of a flowchart of the electronic pet information migration method according to the first embodiment is shown in FIG.

  In step S101, the electronic pet device 4 is turned on, or indicates that a communicable base station is switched by handover. This process is a process for searching for a base station in an existing mobile station. After the base station is discovered, the connection with the base station is established. At this time, information (base station information) for specifying the connection target base station is held.

  In step S102, from the comparison between the base station information acquired in step S101 and the specific base station information registered in advance in the electronic pet apparatus 4 (here, the femtocell base station 21 is a specific base station), It is determined whether or not it is within the area of the specific base station. That is, the movement determination of the electronic pet device 4 is performed.

  If the determination result in step S102 is within the area of the specific base station, the process proceeds to step S210. If not, the process proceeds to step S310. In step S210 and subsequent steps, the electronic pet information 4 is transferred from the electronic pet device 4 to the pet-type robot 5 in response to the movement determination result that the electronic pet device 4 has moved from the outside of the specific base station area into the area. In step S310 and subsequent steps, the electronic pet information 4 is transferred from the pet-type robot 5 to the electronic pet device 4 in response to the movement determination result that the electronic pet device 4 has moved out of the area of the specific base station. That is, in the electronic pet information transfer method according to the first embodiment, the transfer control of the electronic pet information 6 is performed by receiving the determination result of step S102 and allocating it to the process of step S210 or step S310. .

  In step S210, it is notified that the electronic pet device 4 is within the area of the specific base station. The notification destination is the pet-type robot 5.

  Subsequently, in step S220, it is confirmed whether or not the status that is the operation mode of the electronic pet device 4 is ON. If the status of the electronic pet device 4 is ON, the process proceeds to S230. If the status of the electronic pet device 4 is OFF, the process proceeds to the next step S241 and step S242 without processing step S230. When the electronic pet information 6 is stored, the electronic pet device 4 has a status of ON and operates as an electronic pet. In this case, since the latest electronic pet information 6 needs to be transmitted, confirmation in step S220 is performed. Further, when the electronic pet information 6 is not stored, the electronic pet device 4 has a status of OFF and is not operating as an electronic pet. In that case, there is no need to send the electronic pet information 6.

  In step S230, the electronic pet information 6 in the electronic pet device 4 is transmitted (transferred) to the pet robot 5. At the time of transmission, it passes from the base station 32 via the mobile phone communication network 31, the IP network 30, and the femtocell base station 21.

  In step S241, the electronic pet information 6 of the electronic pet device 4 is deleted, for example, the status that is the operation mode is turned OFF, and the electronic pet is deactivated.

  On the other hand, in step S242, the pet-type robot 5 receives the electronic pet information 6 and stores it in the pet-type robot 5, thereby turning on the status as the operation mode and operating as an electronic pet.

  Further, step S241 and step S242 may be performed in parallel. Alternatively, step S242 may be realized by notifying the pet robot 5 of the status ON from the electronic pet device 4.

  In order to turn off the status, the electronic pet information 6 may be saved in the backup area in the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5. The backup area may be any storage means.

  In step S310, which is processed when the determination result in step S102 is not within the area of the specific base station, the electronic pet apparatus 4 is notified that it is outside the area of the specific base station. The notification destination is the pet-type robot 5.

  Subsequently, in step S320, it is confirmed whether or not the status that is the operation mode of the pet type robot 5 is ON. If the status of the pet-type robot 5 is ON, the process proceeds to S330. If the status of the pet-type robot 5 is OFF, the process proceeds to the next step S341 and step S342 without processing step S330. When the electronic pet information 6 is stored, the pet-type robot 5 has a status of ON and operates as an electronic pet. In this case, since the latest electronic pet information 6 needs to be transmitted, confirmation in step S320 is performed. Further, when the electronic pet information 6 is not stored, the pet-type robot 5 has a status of OFF and is not operating as an electronic pet. In that case, there is no need to send the electronic pet information 6.

  In step S330, the electronic pet information 6 in the pet type robot 5 is transmitted (transferred) to the electronic pet device 4. At the time of transmission, the femtocell base station 21 passes through the IP network 30, the mobile phone communication network 31, and the base station 32.

  In step S341, the electronic pet device 4 receives the electronic pet information 6 and stores it in the electronic pet device 4, thereby turning on the status that is the operation mode and operating the electronic pet device as an electronic pet.

  On the other hand, in step S342, the status which is the operation mode is turned OFF by deleting the electronic pet information 6 of the pet-type robot 5, and the electronic pet is deactivated.

  Steps S341 and S342 may be performed in parallel. Alternatively, step S342 may be realized by notifying the pet robot 5 of the status OFF from the electronic pet device 4.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a sequence diagram when the electronic pet device moves to the outdoors in the electronic pet information transfer method according to the first embodiment. Here, a process of shifting from the state of FIG. 3A to the state of FIG. 3B is shown.

  At the start, the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 are present in the femtocell area 22 (state shown in FIG. 3A). The electronic pet information 6 is not held in the electronic pet device 4 but is held in the pet type robot 5. Therefore, the status of the electronic pet device 4 is OFF and the status of the pet robot 5 is ON. From this state, the electronic pet device 4 is moved outside the femtocell area 22. Alternatively, the electronic pet device 4 is turned on when the main power is turned on outside the femtocell area 22. Hereinafter, the part which overlaps with description of FIG. 4 is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the electronic pet device 4 searches for a base station (step S101), and gives a determination result (step S102) that it is outside the femtocell area 22 that is a specific base station. Therefore, the electronic pet device 4 notifies the pet robot 5 that the electronic pet device 4 is outside the femtocell area 22 (step S310).

  Next, the pet type robot 5 checks whether or not the status of the pet type robot 5 is ON (step S320). Since the status of the pet-type robot 5 is ON, the pet-type robot 5 transmits the electronic pet information 6 to the electronic pet device 4 (step S330).

  Thereafter, the status is turned on (step S341) in the electronic pet device 4, and the status is turned off (step S342) in the pet type robot 5.

  As a result, the electronic pet information 6 is transferred from the pet robot 5 to the electronic pet device 4. The user 41 carries the electronic pet device 4 and moves out of the femtocell area 22, but does not perform an operation for transferring the electronic pet information 6.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a sequence diagram when the electronic pet apparatus moves indoors in the electronic pet information transfer method according to the first embodiment. Here, a process of shifting from the state of FIG. 3B to the state of FIG.

  At the start, the electronic pet device 4 exists outside the femtocell area 22 (state shown in FIG. 3B). The pet-type robot 5 exists in the femtocell area 22. Further, the electronic pet information 6 is held in the electronic pet device 4 and is not held in the pet type robot 5. Therefore, the status of the electronic pet device 4 is ON, and the status of the pet robot 5 is OFF. From this state, the electronic pet device 4 moves into the femtocell area 22. Alternatively, the electronic pet device 4 is turned on when the main power is turned on in the femtocell area 22. Hereinafter, the part which overlaps with description of FIG. 4 is abbreviate | omitted.

  First, the electronic pet device 4 searches for a base station (step S101), and issues a determination result (step S102) that it is in the femtocell area 22 that is a specific base station. Therefore, the electronic pet device 4 notifies the pet robot 5 that the electronic pet device 4 is in the femtocell area 22 (step S210).

  Next, the electronic pet device 4 checks whether or not the status of the electronic pet device 4 is ON (step S220). Since the status of the electronic pet device 4 is ON, the electronic pet device 4 transmits the electronic pet information 6 to the pet type robot 5 (step S230).

  Thereafter, the status is turned off (step S241) in the electronic pet device 4, and the status is turned on (step S242) in the pet type robot 5.

  As a result, the electronic pet information 6 is transferred from the electronic pet device 4 to the pet type robot 5. The user 41 carries the electronic pet device 4 and moves into the femtocell area 22, but does not perform an operation for transferring the electronic pet information 6.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic pet device 4 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, a key input unit 401 and a voice input unit 402 receive a key input and a voice input from the user 41, respectively.

  The motion generation unit 410 generates a motion as an electronic pet from the key input and voice input from the key input unit 401 and the voice input unit 402, and the electronic pet information 6 stored in the storage unit 440, and the motion control unit Request processing to 411. The operation control unit 411 outputs to the screen output unit 420 and the audio output unit 421. In addition, the operation control unit 411 updates the electronic pet information 6 in the storage unit 440 according to the output content. The electronic pet device 4 grows as an electronic pet by updating the electronic pet information 6.

  The mobile station 430 includes a communication unit 431 and a specific base station determination unit 432. The storage unit 440 stores the electronic pet information 6 and the specific base station information 23 (information for specifying the femtocell base station 21). The communication unit 431 communicates with base stations (the femtocell base station 21 and the base station 32) of the mobile communication system, and acquires information (base station information) for specifying a connection target base station. Further, the specific base station determination unit 432 compares and determines the base station information acquired by the communication unit 431 and the specific base station information 23, and outputs a determination result as to whether or not they match. The determination result is notified to the outside by the communication unit 431. If the determination result is in the femtocell area 22, the status of the electronic pet device 4 is determined based on whether or not the electronic pet information 6 is stored in the storage unit 440. If the status is ON, transmission of the electronic pet information 6 is performed. I do.

  Moreover, the communication part 431 transmits / receives the electronic pet information 6 with the outside. When the electronic pet information 6 is received, the communication unit 431 stores it in the storage unit 440 and informs the operation generation unit 410 that the status is ON. The motion generation unit 410 informs the motion control unit 411 that it operates as an electronic pet, and causes the screen output unit 420 and the audio output unit 421 to output the operating state. When transmitting the electronic pet information 6, the communication unit 431 acquires the electronic pet information 6 from the storage unit 440 and notifies the operation generation unit 410 that the status is OFF. The motion generation unit 410 informs the motion control unit 411 that the electronic pet is disabled, and causes the screen output unit 420 and the audio output unit 421 to output the disabled status.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pet-type robot 5 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 8, a visual sensor 501, a tactile sensor 502, and an audio input unit 503 are sensors for grasping the state of the outside world. The visual sensor 501 acquires image data of the outside world. Specifically, a distance image using a plurality of cameras having an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor and using image data photographed by the plurality of cameras. Generate data. The distance image data may be acquired by an active distance sensor such as a laser range finder. Further, the image data obtained by a single camera may be used regardless of the stereo view of images taken by a plurality of cameras. The tactile sensor 502 is a sensor that detects the contact state of an object with the surface of the pet-type robot 5 by the pressure acting on the surface of the pet-type robot 5. The voice input unit 503 is an auditory sensor that is implemented by a microphone or the like and is used for detecting voices in the outside world.

  The motion generation unit 510 uses the pet-type robot 5 based on the outside world information acquired by various sensors such as the visual sensor 501, the tactile sensor 502, and the voice input unit 503, and the electronic pet information 6 stored in the storage unit 540. Determine the operation content of. Furthermore, the motion generation unit 510 generates a trajectory of the target angle of each joint for realizing the determined motion content.

  The motion control unit 511 inputs the target angle trajectory of each joint generated by the motion generation unit 510 and the actual angle of each joint measured by the encoder 521, executes feedback control, and drives each joint. The torque control value is calculated. The pet-type robot 5 is operated by the actuator 520 driving each joint according to the torque control value calculated by the operation control unit 511. In addition, said description is description regarding the case where the pet-type robot 5 has other joint links, such as a leg link and an arm link. As another example, if the pet-type robot 5 is a robot that moves by wheels, the operation control unit 511 may be configured to output a torque control value of a motor for rotationally driving the wheels. In addition, the operation control unit 511 updates the electronic pet information 6 in the storage unit 540 according to the output content.

  The mobile station 530 includes a communication unit 531 and a specific base station determination unit 532. The storage unit 540 stores the electronic pet information 6 and the specific base station information 23. Like the communication unit 431, the communication unit 531 performs communication with the base station (femtocell base station 21) of the mobile communication system and transmission / reception of the electronic pet information 6 with the outside. In addition, the communication unit 531 receives a determination result by the specific base station determination unit 432 of the electronic pet device 4.

  When the received determination result indicates that the electronic pet device 4 is present outside the femtocell area 22, the communication unit 531 determines whether the pet-type robot 5 is in accordance with whether or not the electronic pet information 6 is stored in the storage unit 540. The status is determined. If the status is ON, the electronic pet information 6 is transmitted.

  When the electronic pet information 6 is received, the communication unit 531 stores the information in the storage unit 540 and notifies the operation generation unit 510 that the status is ON. The motion generation unit 510 notifies the motion control unit 511 that it is operating as an electronic pet, and causes the actuator 520 to output the operating state. When transmitting the electronic pet information 6, the communication unit 531 acquires the electronic pet information 6 from the storage unit 540, and notifies the operation generation unit 510 that the status is OFF. The motion generation unit 510 informs the motion control unit 511 that the electronic pet is not operating, and causes the actuator 520 to output a non-operating state.

  In the first embodiment, the specific base station determination unit 532 and the specific base station information 23 are not essential components for the pet robot 5. The specific base station determination unit 532 performs the same control as the specific base station determination unit 432, thereby controlling the operation through the operation generation unit 510 so as to move in the reverse direction when going out of the femtocell area 22. By transmitting to the unit 511, it is possible to control the pet type robot 5 so that it can exist in the femtocell area 22 as much as possible.

  As described above, the electronic pet information transfer method according to the first exemplary embodiment uses the electronic pet information 6 as a trigger when the base station is switched in the mobile phone communication network through the movement of the electronic pet device 4 carried by the user 41. This is a transfer method to transfer. Thereby, when raising an electronic pet, it is possible to use an electronic pet having the same electronic pet information 6 for different electronic pet devices indoors and outdoors without requiring a user's direct operation. Become. In addition, the femtocell base station 21 facilitates communication with a mobile phone terminal indoors where it has been difficult to receive mobile phone radio waves. For this reason, it has become easy to realize communication between a pet-type robot used as an electronic pet indoors and outdoors.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The electronic pet system 1a according to the second embodiment further includes a server 33 that relays the electronic pet information 6 to the electronic pet system 1 according to the first embodiment when the electronic pet information 6 is transferred. The server 33 may be a computer that can communicate with both the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5. The way of raising and using the electronic pet by the user is the same. As a result, even in a situation where communication between the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 cannot be performed directly, information is temporarily stored in the server 33 and can be retransmitted on the server side. Increased communication reliability.

  FIG. 9 shows an overall configuration of the electronic pet system 1a according to the second embodiment. Of the components shown in FIG. 9, the same components as those of the electronic pet system 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Below, the description regarding these already-described components is omitted.

  Fig.9 (a) is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the electronic pet system 1 in the state which has raised the electronic pet indoors. Moreover, FIG.9 (b) is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the electronic pet system 1 in the state in which the user is raising the electronic pet outdoors. The server 33 is connected to the IP network 30. Transmission / reception between the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 is relayed, and the electronic pet information 6 is backed up in a storage device (not shown) in the server 33 as necessary.

  Next, an electronic pet information migration method according to the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. The electronic pet information transfer method according to the second embodiment is a transfer method for transferring the electronic pet information 6 between the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 which are electronic pets that satisfy the conditions of the electronic pet 60. Then, when the electronic pet device 4 moves, the electronic pet information 6 is transferred when the communicable base station is switched. That is, there are a method of shifting from the state of FIG. 9A to the state of FIG. 9B and a method of shifting from the state of FIG. 9B to the state of FIG. 9A.

  An example of a flowchart of the electronic pet information migration method according to the second embodiment is shown in FIG. The difference from FIG. 4 is that step S210 is replaced with step S211 and step S212, step 230 is replaced with step S231 and step S232, step S310 is replaced with step S311 and step S312 and step 330 is replaced with step S331 and step S332. It is.

  In step S211, it is notified that the electronic pet device 4 is within the area of the specific base station. The notification destination is the server 33. At this time, the server 33 confirms that the notification is transmitted from the electronic pet device 4.

  In step S212, the notification received by the server 33 is notified to the pet-type robot 5. The fact that the notification destination is the pet-type robot 5 may be included in the notification transmitted from the electronic pet device 4. Alternatively, information for specifying the electronic pet device 4 and the pet type robot 5 may be stored in advance in a storage device (not shown) in the server 33.

  In step S231, the electronic pet information 6 in the electronic pet device 4 is transmitted to the server 33. At the time of transmission, the mobile phone communication network 31 and the IP network 30 are transmitted from the base station 32. At this time, the server 33 confirms that the notification is transmitted from the electronic pet device 4. The server 33 may store the received electronic pet information 6 in a storage device in the server 33. Thereby, it becomes a backup of the electronic pet information 6.

  In step S 232, the electronic pet information 6 received by the server 33 is transmitted to the pet robot 5. At the time of transmission, it passes through the IP network 30 and the femtocell base station 21. It should be noted that the transmission destination being the pet-type robot 5 may be included in the electronic pet information 6 transmitted from the electronic pet device 4. Or the information which specifies the electronic pet apparatus 4 and the pet type | mold robot 5 may be matched and stored in the memory | storage device in the server 33. FIG.

  In step S311, the electronic pet apparatus 4 is notified that it is out of the area of the specific base station. The notification destination is the server 33. At this time, the server 33 confirms that the notification is transmitted from the electronic pet device 4.

In step S312, the server 33 notifies the pet robot 5 of the notification received. Whether the notification destination is the pet-type robot 5 is determined in the same manner as in step S212.
In step S331, the electronic pet information 6 in the pet robot 5 is transmitted to the server 33. At the time of transmission, the femtocell base station 21 passes through the IP network 30. The backup of the electronic pet information 6 is the same as that in step S231.

  In step S <b> 332, the electronic pet information 6 received by the server 33 is transmitted to the electronic pet device 4. At the time of transmission, it passes through the IP network 30, the mobile phone communication network 31, and the base station 32. Note that it is determined in the same manner as in step S232 that the transmission destination is the electronic pet information 6.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a sequence diagram when the electronic pet device moves to the outdoors in the electronic pet information transfer method according to the second embodiment. Here, a process of shifting from the state of FIG. 9A to the state of FIG. 9B is shown. The difference from FIG. 5 will be mainly described.

  The electronic pet device 4 notifies the server 33 that the electronic pet device 4 is outside the femtocell area 22 (step S311). Moreover, the server 33 performs the same notification with respect to the pet-type robot 5 (step S312).

  In addition, the pet type robot 5 transmits the electronic pet information 6 to the server 33 (step S331). The server 33 transmits the received electronic pet information 6 to the electronic pet device 4 (step S332).

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a sequence diagram when the electronic pet device moves indoors in the electronic pet information transfer method according to the second embodiment. Here, a process of shifting from the state of FIG. 9B to the state of FIG. 9A is shown. The difference from FIG. 6 will be mainly described.

  The electronic pet device 4 notifies the server 33 that the electronic pet device 4 is in the femtocell area 22 (step S211). Moreover, the server 33 performs the same notification with respect to the pet-type robot 5 (step S212).

  In addition, the electronic pet device 4 transmits the electronic pet information 6 to the server 33 (step S231). The server 33 transmits the received electronic pet information 6 to the pet robot 5 (step S232).

  As described above, the electronic pet information transfer method according to the second embodiment is not limited to the effect of the electronic pet information transfer method according to the first embodiment, and communication between the electronic pet device 4 and the pet-type robot 5 is performed. Even if the receiving side is disconnected, the transmission can be completed when it reaches the server 33, and the reliability of communication is increased. Further, by ensuring the latest backup data of the electronic pet information 6 on the server 33 side, data inconsistency between the electronic pet device 4 and the pet type robot 5 can be prevented.

Other embodiments.
In Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, the mobile station 430 is provided in the electronic pet device 4, but various communication functions may be provided in addition to the mobile station 430. That is, the mobile station 430 may determine the current position of the electronic pet device 4, and various communication functions other than the mobile station 430 may transmit / receive the electronic pet information 6. The various communication functions include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), RF (Radio Frequency) tags, and the like.

  Further, the motion generation unit 410 and the motion generation unit 510, and the motion control unit 411 and the motion control unit 511 described above can be realized using a typical computer system. The program for causing the computer system to execute these processes does not have to be a single program, and may be configured by a plurality of program modules divided according to the processing content. Further, the motion generation unit 410 and the motion generation unit 510, and the motion control unit 411 and the motion control unit 511 may be performed by a computer system including a plurality of processors.

  In addition, since the above-described pet-type robot 5 is an electronic pet raised indoors, it does not necessarily have a mobile station. For example, communication with the femtocell base station 21 is separately performed by a communication device, and the pet robot 5 only needs to be able to transmit and receive electronic pet information to and from the communication device. Furthermore, the femtocell base station 21 described above does not have to be a femtocell. For example, the above-described femtocell base station 21 may be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) base station or the like.

  Further, in Embodiment 2 described above, the movement determination (step S102) of the electronic pet device 4 is performed by the electronic pet device 4, but may be performed by the server 33. To do so, the following may be done. First, the server 33 registers specific base station information in the storage device of the server 33 in advance. Next, after step S <b> 101, the electronic pet device 4 transmits connection target base station information to the server 33. In step S102, the server 33 determines whether or not the electronic pet device 4 is within the area of the specific base station from the comparison between the base station information to be connected and the specific base station information.

  Here, when the electronic pet apparatus 4 is in the area, the server 33 notifies the electronic pet apparatus 4 that the electronic pet apparatus 4 is in the area. That is, the process corresponding to step S211 is performed in the reverse direction. Thereby, the electronic pet apparatus 4 can implement step S220. At the same time, the server 33 performs step S212. Henceforth, it is the same as that of Embodiment 2. Further, when the electronic pet device 4 is out of the area, the server 33 does not need the process corresponding to step S311. Henceforth, the process after step S320 is the same as that of Embodiment 2.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention described above.

It is a schematic block diagram of the electronic pet system 1 which implement | achieves the electronic pet information transfer method concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram of operation and non-operation of the electronic pet 60 according to the first embodiment. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic pet system 1 according to a first embodiment. It is a flowchart figure of the electronic pet information transfer method concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a sequence diagram at the time of the electronic pet apparatus moving to the outdoors among the electronic pet information transfer methods concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a sequence diagram at the time of the electronic pet apparatus moving indoors among the electronic pet information transfer methods concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic pet device 4 according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a pet-type robot 5 according to a first embodiment. It is a whole structure of the electronic pet system 1a concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart figure of the electronic pet information transfer method concerning Embodiment 2. It is a sequence diagram at the time of the electronic pet apparatus moving to the outdoors among the electronic pet information transfer methods concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a sequence diagram at the time of the electronic pet apparatus moving indoors among the electronic pet information transfer methods concerning Embodiment 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic pet system 1a Electronic pet system 4 Electronic pet apparatus 5 Pet type robot 6 Electronic pet information 20 Building 21 Femtocell base station 22 Femtocell area 23 Specific base station information 30 Network 31 Mobile phone communication network 32 Base station 33 Server 41 User 60 Electronic pet 61 Software 62 Hardware

Claims (17)

An electronic pet information transfer method for transferring electronic pet information in which an attribute of an electronic pet is defined between a first electronic pet and a second electronic pet,
Determining whether or not the second electronic pet is located within a service area of a predetermined specific base station in the mobile communication network;
An electronic pet information transfer method for transferring the electronic pet information between the first electronic pet and the second electronic pet in accordance with a result of the determination. When the second electronic pet is within the service area of the specific base station, the electronic pet information is transferred from the second electronic pet to the first electronic pet,
Transferring the electronic pet information from the first electronic pet to the second electronic pet when the second electronic pet is outside the service area of the specific base station;
The electronic pet information transfer method according to claim 1. The second electronic pet has communication means that operates as a mobile station connectable to the mobile communication network,
The position determination of the second electronic pet is based on the identification information of the specific base station obtained from the base station identification information acquired from the connection-destination base station when the second electronic pet is connected to the mobile communication network. The electronic pet information transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic pet information transfer method is performed based on whether or not the data matches.   The electronic pet information transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the position determination of the second electronic pet is performed at the time of handover of the communication unit.   The electronic pet information transfer method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein transmission and reception of the electronic pet information between the first and second electronic pets is performed via the mobile communication network.   The electronic pet information transfer method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the position determination of the second electronic pet is performed by a function built in the second electronic pet.   The electronic pet information transfer method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the position determination of the second electronic pet is performed by a server capable of communicating with both the first electronic pet and the second electronic pet. An electronic pet system having a first electronic pet and a second electronic pet,
The second electronic pet is
The attributes of the electronic pet from the first electronic pet are defined in response to the movement of the second electronic pet from the service area of the predetermined base station in the mobile communication network to the outside of the area. Receive electronic pet information,
An electronic pet system that transmits the electronic pet information to the first electronic pet in response to the movement of the second electronic pet from outside the service area of the specific base station into the area. The first electronic pet is
A first communication unit for transferring the electronic pet information to and from the second electronic pet;
The second electronic pet is
A second communication unit for transferring the electronic pet information to and from the first electronic pet;
A movement determination means for determining that the position of the second electronic pet has moved from within the service area of the specific base station to the outside of the area, or moved from outside the service area into the area;
9. The electronic pet system according to claim 8, further comprising transfer control means for transferring the electronic pet information between the first communication unit and the second communication unit based on a determination result by the movement determination unit. . The electronic pet system further includes a server capable of communicating with both the first electronic pet and the second electronic pet,
The first electronic pet is
A first communication unit for transferring the electronic pet information to and from the second electronic pet;
The second electronic pet is
A second communication unit for transferring the electronic pet information to and from the first electronic pet;
The server
A movement determination means for determining that the position of the second electronic pet has moved from within the service area of the specific base station to the outside of the area, or moved from outside the service area into the area;
9. The electronic pet system according to claim 8, further comprising transfer control means for transferring the electronic pet information between the first communication unit and the second communication unit based on a determination result by the movement determination unit. . The second communication unit is connectable to the mobile communication network,
The movement determination means determines whether or not the base station identification information acquired from the connection-destination base station when the second electronic pet is connected to the mobile communication network matches the identification information of the specific base station. The electronic pet system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the movement of the second electronic pet is determined based on the fact.   12. The electronic pet system according to claim 8, wherein the movement determination unit performs movement determination of the second electronic pet in response to execution of a handover by the second communication unit.   The electronic device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the second electronic pet is a mobile phone terminal that displays an image of the electronic pet according to the electronic pet information by referring to the electronic pet information. Pet system.   The electronic pet system according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the first electronic pet is a pet-type robot that operates autonomously with reference to the electronic pet information. The first electronic pet is
Determining means for determining that the position of the user has gone out of the service area of the specific base station;
Control means for moving the position of the user so as to return to the service area when it is determined that the position of the user has moved out of the service area;
The electronic pet system according to claim 14. A communication unit for transferring electronic pet information in which attributes of the electronic pet are defined with other electronic pets;
A movement determining means for determining that the position of the mobile terminal has moved from the service area of a predetermined base station in the mobile communication network to the outside of the area, or moved from the outside of the service area to the area; ,
A mobile phone terminal comprising transfer control means for transferring the electronic pet information between the communication part and the communication part of the other electronic pet based on a determination result by the movement determination means.   The mobile phone terminal according to claim 16, wherein the mobile phone terminal is an electronic pet device that displays an image of an electronic pet according to the electronic pet information by referring to the electronic pet information.

Images